The Chargers did things here Sunday they seemingly haven’t done since they were a twinkle in Barron Hilton’s eye. They made plays. They made a lot of them. They got the Chiefs to turn the ball over six times. They jumped to a 20-0 lead in the alligator’s mouth that is Arrowhead Stadium.

But the dagger, ladies and gentleman. They were given the dagger and didn’t use it when they had the Chiefs’ hearts beating through their skin. It was quite the target. And they couldn’t find it.

They won this divisional mess 37-20, but it was an uncomfortable 37-20. It wasn’t until late, when the miserable Chiefs finally pulled their own plug, that the loyalists ordered up sighs of relief all around.

They were up 20-0 midway through the second quarter when Kansas City tailback Jamaal “You Think Ryan Mathews is a Fumbler?” Charles (the league’s leading rusher), coughed up another one, forced by defensive end Vaughn Martin and recovered by the other defensive end, Corey Liuget at the K.C. 28.

Now, the dagger. Even a field goal would have been great. But quarterback Philip Rivers, as he does now much too often, tried to force a pass to wideout Robert Meachem and was picked by corner Brandon Flowers. The Chiefs then came back and scored on a 36-yard serpentine run by Charles, making it 20-6. It could have been 27-0 or 23-0, big difference.

Then the Chargers’ offense had one of its worst third quarters in memory. Three possessions, three three-and-outs, minus-one yard total offense. Coach Norv Turner’s play calling went oatmeal and predictable. But the Chiefs kept their bungling ways, and soon Turner released tailback Ryan Mathews from his doghouse and San Diego pounded the Chiefs until the end.

Due to Mathews’ fumbleitis, Norv didn’t start Ryan, going with big, blustery Jackie Battle, who returned to his old home. But Mathews finally got his chance in the fourth quarter, once touching the ball on six straight snaps. He finished with 61 yards on 14 carries. And, perhaps due to a blessing from the Pope and several novenas from those who still believe in him, didn’t fumble.

He is so crucial to this offense, because he’s obviously far and away the Chargers most talented back. There’s a strong danger element to him. Mathews can provide the dagger. And don’t think Norv doesn’t know it. But when Mathews doesn’t have the ball, he’s a thumb tack.

“I have great trust in Ryan Mathews,” Turner would say afterwards.

I did not see tongue in cheek, but it must have been there. Nice try, Norv.

Last week, the coach said Mathews would be limited in certain situations. When you put the guy you’ve been counting on in jail, ie. don’t start him in an important AFC West game, there’s a lack of trust. Ryan had four carries worth a yard in the first half.

“Ryan was in a tough position last week in terms of missing six weeks (broken clavicle),” Norv continued. “He just responded. Our team responded. We’re going to have adversity in games and in the season. We made a big step today in terms of understanding when we have adversity; we have to handle it individually and collectively.

“You ask about the confidence I have in him, we’re trying to put the game away and he’s the guy handling the ball, so I think that answers that question.”

Well, no it doesn’t. He said it was important to start Battle. It was important to start Battle because he’s trying to teach Mathews a lesson.

Actually, not playing Mathews much early helped because he certainly had the freshest of legs when he started getting the ball — and making the most of it — while the offense ran down the clock.

Finally returning was mammoth left tackle Jared Gaither, who started after missing most of camp, all the exhibition season and the first three real games with back spasms that spawned tsunami warnings. He’s obviously not in game shape, but there’s no doubt he’s a great improvement there. Rivers was sacked three times, but twice he had enough time to throw.

It was the defense’s day to shine, with the six turnovers, most of them forced (safety Eric Weddle’s one-handed pick was wonderful). But the Chargers might have scored 50 if it were not for far too many needless defensive penalties, letting the Chiefs slip off the hook far too often.

“The thing I liked about the turnovers is that we created a lot of them through our physical play,” Turner said. “Obviously, we had a chance at a couple more. If you’re going to be successful in this league, you have to disrupt the quarterback.

The defense got to K.C. quarterback Matt Cassel twice and harassed him much more. Young defensive ends Martin and Liuget had their best games. Martin was particularly disruptive.

Turner talks constantly of the number of new moving parts, that when they move properly, everything’s fine, and when they don’t, there are problems. I can see that. I know a win is a win.

But the dagger thing stays with me. You don’t put it back in the sheath when the opponent is trying it’s best to end it all. Nitpicking? Maybe. But that’s what champions do.